NEIGHBOURS of a Minehead retirement home sprang into action when they spotted flames and smoke pouring from an outbuilding at the back of the property on Monday evening.

Unbeknown to staff at Broadlands in Ponsford Road, fire had broken out in a double garage housing mobility scooters.

But people living nearby wasted no time in offering their help as all 32 residents were evacuated from the main building.

A neighbour was the first to raise the alarm just after 7pm and alerted staff at the home after calling the emergency services.

Crews from the town's fire station were on the scene within minutes, with both of the unit's fire engines drafted in to tackle the blaze.

Broadlands company secretary Nikki Sexton said, although the residents were probably outside for no more than five minutes, local people rushed over with blankets and chairs and offered any other assistance they could.

"The garage was well alight and the fire was quite intense," said Nikki.

"Luckily it didn't spread to the main building and, once we had received the go-ahead from the firefighters, we were able to take the residents back inside, although we had to stay at one end of the home while they carried on dealing with the fire."

For one of the first people on the scene, neighbour Madeleine Flanagan, the incident was a scenario she dreaded.

Mrs Flanagan is the manager of the Somerset Care-owned Wyndham House residential care home in Minehead so was all too aware of the potential consequences.

She and her husband Paul had been eating their evening meal at their home in King Edward Road when they heard what they thought was fireworks.

"We looked out the window and saw blue flashing lights and smoke and flames coming from the building that was on fire," she said.

"We rushed over and immediately offered our help. Paul took his coat off and wrapped one of the residents in it and I told them I was the manager of a care home and was ready to do anything to help."

The Flanagans' daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Ian Totterdale also turned up to help after passing the incident as they were walking their dog.

"I've actually taken part in a mock exercise for training in which there was a fire in a care home but I can tell you that the real thing is far more scary," said Mrs Flanagan.

"The fire at Broadlands was so close to the main building but everyone reacted so quickly and professionally and the community spirit shown by people living nearby was brilliant - it was so reassuring."

Ponsford Road resident Felicity Perkins and her two daughters also offered their help.

"It was drizzling and rainy so not a very nice evening to have to be outside," she said.

"We got some blankets from home and did what we could and it was just nice to see so many people helping.

"Luckily the residents were fine."

Devon and Somerset Fire Brigade spokesman Paul Slaven told the Free Press that firefighters spent around two and a half hours at the scene and returned the following morning to carry out further checks and investigations.

Five mobility scooters were destroyed in the blaze, while the roof and structure of the garage were seriously damaged.

Three bedrooms were also cordoned off for ventilation during the incident, one of which was slightly damaged.

Investigations revealed the likely cause of the fire was a faulty charging unit within one of the mobility scooters.

Ms Sexton said the residents had recovered quickly from their unexpected ordeal.

"Nobody was hurt, which is the most important thing," she said.

"The residents were full of praise for the staff and we just want to thank the neighbours - they were amazing.

"At least a dozen people came out to help and we are so grateful."

Photo: Steve Guscott